RFID plugs and methods of installing the same within a rubber article. When included in the rubber article, the RFID plugs maintain operability pre-vulcanization, during vulcanization, and post-vulcanization to identify, track, and/or sense conditions of the rubber article. The RFID plugs are adapted to be affixed to the rubber article and include, for example, an elongate stem; a head disposed at a first end of the stem, the head containing an RFID device; and a retention feature disposed at a second end of the stem opposite the first end, the retention feature configured to resist pulling forces on the head and the stem.

A tire integrated with an electronic device includes the electronic device attached to an inner liner or a side wall of the tire by vulcanization. The electronic device is attached to an inner side or an outer side of an end of a bead filler depending on a length of the bead filler not to reduce durability of the tire.

The invention presents a device and a method for placing and attaching a strip inside a tire. Specifically, the tire is positioned flat on a mounting between self-centering arms, and an adhesive device is placed inside the tire. While the tire is rotated, the strip is moved inside the tire, wherein a pressure force is applied to said strip. The strip is driven at a linear speed greater than the rotation speed of the tire, thus producing an effect of compressing said strip, the length of which becomes less than the nominal length thereof, thus creating a space between both ends of the strip such that, after release, the strip scrapes the adhesive device, which is repositioned on said ends, thus simultaneously causing said ends to be attached end to end.

A process for producing tyres with auxiliary components for vehicle wheels is described. The process includes i) covering the external surface of an expandable chamber for tyre vulcanisation and moulding apparatuses with a first substantially cross-linkable polysiloxane composition and ii) covering the radially inner surface of the impermeable elastomeric material layer of the green tyre with a second substantially non-cross-linkable polysiloxane composition. An expandable chamber for tyre vulcanisation and moulding apparatuses and, a process for treating the expandable chamber are also described.

A tire including a rubber sheet which covers an end of the carcass ply which has been folded back and an RFID tag serving as an electronic component provided between the bead filler and the rubber sheet, in which the bead filler is formed in an annular shape, the rubber sheet is formed in an annular shape by one end side and another end side of a long sheet being joined, and the RFID tag serving as the electronic component is disposed between the bead filler and the rubber sheet at a joint part which is a portion of the rubber sheet which is joined.

Methods for increasing the read range of an electronic communication module within a tire and methods for improving the read range of an electronic communication module within a tire are provided herein. As discussed further herein, the read range can be increased by applying strain to the tire without abrading its tread, resulting in an increase in read range of 20% or more. Similarly, the read range can be improved by applying strain to the tire without circumferentially contacting the outer surface of its tread, resulting in an increase in the same-distance-signal-strength of 5% or more. Also provided are tires made according to the disclosed methods.

Provided are: a tire including: a tire frame; and a reinforcing metal cord member that is wound at least on the outer circumference of the tire frame, wherein at least a portion of the reinforcing metal cord member is coated with a coating composition via an adhesion layer that contains a polyamide-based adhesive and has a melting point of from 160 C. to 200 C., the coating composition containing at least one thermoplastic material selected from polyamide-based thermoplastic resins having a melting point of from 160 C. to 240 C. and polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers having a melting point of from 160 C. to 240 C.; and a method of producing the same.

A tire includes a bead core; a bead filler which extends to an outer side in a tire-radial direction of the bead core; a carcass ply which extends from the bead core to another bead core, and is folded back around the bead core; a pad member which is disposed at an outer side in a tire-width direction of the bead filler; and a rubber sheet which is disposed between the bead filler and the pad member in a state covering a folding end of the carcass ply which has been folded back, in which an RFID tag serving as an electronic component is provided between the rubber sheet and the pad member.

A flexible sensor for monitoring operating parameters, including pressure and temperature, of a flexible structure, such as a tire, provides electrodes and an active area that are formed of flexible materials. In particular, the active area may be formed from an elastomeric piezoresistive material, such as an ionic liquid-polymer. The flexible properties of the sensor allow it to be readily incorporated into the body of a tire during manufacture. This allows the operating parameters of the tire to be monitored, such as in real-time, while the tire is in operation. Furthermore, the sensor is formed of materials that allow the sensor to be formed using additive manufacturing techniques, such as 3D (three-dimensional) printing. As such, the sensor may be 3D printed together with another structure, such as a tire tread, so that the sensor is integrated therein.

An article that experiences repeated deformation includes an electronic component as an inclusion. The article includes at least one structural element, in which the structural element includes a material. At least one electronic component is incorporated into the material as an inclusion. The electronic component includes an integrated circuit and may also include at least one sensor and an antenna. The size of the electronic inclusion is no greater than the largest inclusion typically occurring within the material. The article may be an article formed of rubber, such as a tire.